Organizers prepare for Gilroy Garlic Festival

More than 100,000 expected to attend event

The famous flame-ups kick things off Friday morning. Until then, volunteers are preparing the festival grounds.

Organizers expect ideal weather for the event. The finishing touches were being put on the cook-off stage Wednesday, which will be a hub of action for the event.

On Sunday, the stage will be taken over by Carla Hall, co-host of ABC’s "The Chew." She will be hosting the headline event, The Great Garlic Cook-Off, which will feature eight contestants who have two hours to impress five judges in order to take home $5,000.

Friday will feature a new addition to the Garlic Festival lineup -- The Garlic Bowl. Three California universities, UC Berkeley, San Jose State and Fresno State, will find out who has the sharpest chef.

More than 100,000 garlic lovers are expected to attend the event.

A new dish, zesty garlic fried calamari, will be featured in Gourmet Alley this year.

Nearly $10 million has been paid out to local charities in the event’s 35 years.

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